News: Saskia Horton wins Startin’ Point Legacy Commission 2019

Thursday 15 November 2018

The Place has announced Saskia Horton as the winner of the Startin’ Point Legacy Commission 2019, which champions UK artists whose practice is rooted in dances of the African diaspora. The commission is part of Startin’ Point Festival, founded and curated by Hakeem “Mr Impact” Onibudo, one of Arts Council England’s Change Makers.

In July, The Place launched an open call for UK-based choreographers and artists who wished to further develop an existing work and present it at the festival on 20 October 2018 at The Place.

Out of over 25 applications, three artists we shortlisted: Kloe Dean, Ffion Campbell Davies and Saskia Horton. Each received £1000 to assist in the development of their work. On the night of the performance, Ffion Campbell Davies won the audience prize of £1000 with her piece, Womb Paves Way.

A panel of industry experts comprised of Jessica Greer (Programme Manager, The Place), Maria Ryan (Creative Learning Producer, The Place), Freddie Opoku-Addaie (Choreographer, Performer, Educator), Jonzi D (Director, Breakin’ Convention) and Oliver Carruthers (Director, Gulbenkian) judged the three works on the night of the performance and decided on the work they felt has the greatest potential for future development. The Startin’ Point Legacy Commission 2019 was awarded to Saskia Horton for her piece Life According to Motown.

As the winner, Horton will receive financial support and mentorship towards developing her work into a full-length piece, and to find opportunities to present it across the UK in 2019/2020.

Saskia Horton is a 21 year old multidisciplinary artist who has trained in a variety of styles from contemporary to krump to waacking. As a musician, she is currently studying jazz violin at university, playing with her hip hop/grime/jazz fusion band Nihilism and producing her own music for dance theatre pieces and performances of spoken word and rap. She is currently finding ways to combine and choreograph with all of these influences and is interested in creating innovative, powerful theatre that connects people whilst making a deeply profound impact on the world.